deficit

Margaret Warner talks with Republican Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell about the continued stalemate across the country between state legislatures and public-employee unions over benefit cuts, collective bargaining and budget deficits. Continue reading →

Lawmakers have until March 18 to reach a budget agreement to keep the government operating, but the two parties disagree greatly on the amount to cut from this year’s spending. Gwen Ifill talks with Political Editor David Chalian about the continuing budget stalemate as lawmakers prepare for the next showdown over spending. Continue reading →

The GOP-led House passed a bill that extends the government budget for two weeks and cuts $4 billion from this year’s spending. Senate leaders and President Obama have expressed support for the bill. Judy Woodruff talks with Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois and Republican Rep. Allen West of Florida about the agreement. Continue reading →

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the week’s political news, including possible 2012 Republican presidential candidates, state budget crises, the threat of a federal government shutdown on March 4 and U.S. response to the Libya uprising. Continue reading →

Governors across the U.S. are struggling to balance budgets and slash spending in a tough economic climate. Judy Woodruff talks to Republican Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and Democratic Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer about the collective-bargaining battle and what impacts a federal government shutdown would have on their states. Continue reading →

As part of his continuing coverage of Making Sen$e of economic news, Paul Solman examines how Rhode Island is one of many states looking to cut pensions for public employees in the face of massive budget deficits. Continue reading →

Indiana lawmakers followed their Wisconsin counterparts’ example by leaving the state to halt a bill that would curb the influence of labor unions. Gwen Ifill talks to reporters in New Jersey, Indiana and Ohio, where state budget deficits are going head-to-head with the collective bargaining rights of public employees. Continue reading →

A push to reduce state workers’ benefits and eliminate collective bargaining caused a furor this week as protesters descended on Wisconsin’s Capitol. Judy Woodruff examines the predicament with Jonathan Williams of the American Legislative Exchange Council and Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers. Continue reading →

Governors across the U.S. are desperately looking for ways to fill huge budget gaps. Most are required by law to balance their budgets, which means big cuts in state spending on all programs, including Medicaid. That has many recipients worried. Betty Ann Bowser reports on battles in Arizona and elsewhere. Continue reading →